M.N. ZAGOSKIN’S HISTORICAL NOVEL “YURI MILOSLAVSKY, OR THE RUSSIANS IN 1612”: GENRE AS A FORMULA

Abstract

The article analyzes a novel by M.N. Zagoskin “Yuri Miloslavsky, or the Russians in 1612” from the standpoint of the theory of formulaic literature. Based on the understanding of the literary formula as a structure of certain narrative conditions (type of plot, motives, image structure, cultural stereotypes, etc.), Zagoskin’s historical novel can be considered to be its expressive realization. In addition, the cliché of the historical novel, which provided the basis for the novel by M.N. Zagoskin, fits perfectly into the genre formula formulated by Katarina Clark in the analysis of the Soviet novel, but which is the essence of adventure and historical novels: a social task, overcoming obstacles for its fulfillment, heroes and mentors, transition (initiation). The scientific novelty of the study lies in the conjugation of the features of the historical novel by M.N. Zagoskin with the signs of a formulaic text (the concept of J. Cavelti). The theoretical significance of the results of the study lies in the addition of ideas about the causes and options for modifying the genre of the historical novel. It is concluded that, firstly, the use of archetypes and folklore motifs is a distinctive sign of the historical narrative of M.N. Zagoskin, largely due to his socio-political views; secondly, the writer implements the genre formula of the historical novel, but modifies it on the basis of the ideas of Orthodoxy and the theory of official nationality.